Hammon will become first female coach at an All-Star game

Updated 3:44 pm, Friday, January 29, 2016

Assistant Coach Becky Hammon jokes with Patty Mills during the San Antonio Spurs public practice at the AT&T Center, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2014.

Assistant Coach Becky Hammon jokes with Patty Mills during the San Antonio Spurs public practice at the AT&T Center, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2014.

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

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WNBA star Becky Hammon is the first female full-time assistant coach in the NBA. Click through the gallery for 9 things you probably didn't know about her.

WNBA star Becky Hammon is the first female full-time assistant coach in the NBA. Click through the gallery for 9 things you probably didn't know about her.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, Express-News

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1. Becky Hammon became the first female full-time, paid assistant coach in the NBA after she was hired by the Spurs on Aug. 5, 2014. Hammon will also be the first full-time female coach in any North American male professional sports league. less

1. Becky Hammon became the first female full-time, paid assistant coach in the NBA after she was hired by the Spurs on Aug. 5, 2014. Hammon will also be the first full-time female coach in any North American ... more

Photo: Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News

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2. Hammon is a longtime standout player for the San Antonio Stars and was named one of the Top 15 Players in WNBA history in 2011.

2. Hammon is a longtime standout player for the San Antonio Stars and was named one of the Top 15 Players in WNBA history in 2011.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, San Antonio Express-News

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3. Coach Gregg Popovich said Hammon's hiring was based on her knowledge, not her gender, after announcing the hire. "Having observed her working with our team this past season, I'm confident her basketball IQ, work eithic and interpersonal skills will be a great benefit to the Spurs," he said. less

3. Coach Gregg Popovich said Hammon's hiring was based on her knowledge, not her gender, after announcing the hire. "Having observed her working with our team this past season, I'm confident her basketball IQ, ... more

Photo: Robin Jerstad / For The Express-News

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4. Hammon, who played in Russia during the offseason, won a bronze medal while playing for the country in the 2012 Olympic Games on Aug. 11, 2012, in London, England. Hammon became a Russian citizen after not being invited to the U.S. Olympic team. less

4. Hammon, who played in Russia during the offseason, won a bronze medal while playing for the country in the 2012 Olympic Games on Aug. 11, 2012, in London, England. Hammon became a Russian citizen after not ... more

Photo: Christian Petersen, Getty Images

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5. Hammon caught a baby bonnethead shark while fishing in Florida during the 2009 offseason.

5. Hammon caught a baby bonnethead shark while fishing in Florida during the 2009 offseason.

Photo: COURTESY PHOTO

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6. Born in South Dakota in 1977, Hammon's father was her first basketball mentor. She averaged more than 25 points per game her senior year at Stevens High School and played college ball at Colorado State University. less

6. Born in South Dakota in 1977, Hammon's father was her first basketball mentor. She averaged more than 25 points per game her senior year at Stevens High School and played college ball at Colorado State ... more

Photo: The Denver Post, Getty Images

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7. Hammon was undrafted out of college and was signed by the New York Liberty in 1999.

7. Hammon was undrafted out of college and was signed by the New York Liberty in 1999.

Photo: Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images

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8. Hammon announced her plans to retire in 2014 after playing 16 seasons in the WNBA and the last eight with the Stars. She was chosen for the All-Star team seven times and is the Stars' career leader in assists, 3-pointers and points per game. less

8. Hammon announced her plans to retire in 2014 after playing 16 seasons in the WNBA and the last eight with the Stars. She was chosen for the All-Star team seven times and is the Stars' career leader in ... more

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News

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9. Hammon dealt with a slew of injuries during her lengthy career in the WNBA, including a torn ACL and a broken middle finger that have sidelined her in recent seasons.

9. Hammon dealt with a slew of injuries during her lengthy career in the WNBA, including a torn ACL and a broken middle finger that have sidelined her in recent seasons.

Photo: For The Express-News

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Spurs assistant coach Ettore Messina (right), who took Gregg Popovich's place Thursday, and assistant Becky Hammon discuss a play during the first half against the Suns.

Spurs assistant coach Ettore Messina (right), who took Gregg Popovich's place Thursday, and assistant Becky Hammon discuss a play during the first half against the Suns.

Photo: Matt York / Associated Press

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Assistant Coach Becky Hammon jokes with Patty Mills during the San Antonio Spurs public practice at the AT&T Center, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2014.

Assistant Coach Becky Hammon jokes with Patty Mills during the San Antonio Spurs public practice at the AT&T Center, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2014.

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

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In this still from a video posted by the Spurs' Becky Hammon on YouTube, Hammon drips after taking the ice bucket challenge.

In this still from a video posted by the Spurs' Becky Hammon on YouTube, Hammon drips after taking the ice bucket challenge.

Photo: YouTube

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Assistant coach Becky Hammon jokes with Patty Mills during the Spurs’ public practice at the AT&T Center on Oct. 1, 2014.

Assistant coach Becky Hammon jokes with Patty Mills during the Spurs’ public practice at the AT&T Center on Oct. 1, 2014.

Photo: Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News

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WNBA star player Becky Hammon speaks at a press conference after being hired as the NBA's first full-time assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, August, 5, 2014. Hammon is currently on contract with the WNBA San Antonio Stars but announced that she will retire at the end of the 2014 season. Hammon has played 16 years in the WNBA and is ranked first in free-throw percentage and was a six-time All-Star averaging 13.1 points per game. (Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News)

WNBA star player Becky Hammon speaks at a press conference after being hired as the NBA's first full-time assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, August, 5, 2014. Hammon is currently on contract

San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon, left, talks with Tony Parker, center, as Tim Duncan, right, looks away during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 17, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) less

San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon, left, talks with Tony Parker, center, as Tim Duncan, right, looks away during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 17, 2015, in New York. (AP ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon watches as her team warms up before an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks Tuesday, March 17, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon watches as her team warms up before an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks Tuesday, March 17, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Photo: Associated Press

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MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 12: Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs speaks with Assistant Coach, Becky Hammon before a preseason game against the Miami Heat on October 12, 2015 at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE less

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 12: Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs speaks with Assistant Coach, Becky Hammon before a preseason game against the Miami Heat on October 12, 2015 at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, ... more

Photo: Issac Baldizon, Getty Images

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NBA Summer League head coach Becky Hammon talks with San Antonio Spurs’ Kyle Anderson, left, and Cady Lalanne during an NBA summer league basketball game against the New York Knicks in Las Vegas on July 11, 2015. less

NBA Summer League head coach Becky Hammon talks with San Antonio Spurs’ Kyle Anderson, left, and Cady Lalanne during an NBA summer league basketball game against the New York Knicks in Las Vegas on July 11, ... more